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Topic: fear of future (Read 2220 times)

I am so terrified of the future and what might happen in the next year. We are unable to stockpile much food or water, and unable to move out of the city to the country where we might have more access to wildlife and water. There are 6 of us in the household with an adult who is ill and 3 small children.I have tried to pray and exercise faith in God's provision, but still feel such panic that it makes sleep difficult and daily anxiety. Has the Lord spoken to anyone here about the future here in the U.S.? Does anyone have any words of encouragement or hope? No one around me seems concerned and the good folks in our Orthodox church don't think anything bad will happen.

Thank you for listening and oddly enough my name is Sunny, but I currently have no Sunny thoughts!

"as [you've] informed us that respect chills love, it is natural to conclude that all your pretty flights arise from your pampered sensibility; and that, vain of this fancied preeminence of organs, you foster every emotion till the fumes, mounting to your brain, dispel the sober suggestions of reason. It is not in this view surprising that when you should argue you become impassioned, and that reflection inflames your imagination instead of enlightening your understanding." - Mary Wollstonecraft

Having some food and water is wise for any emergency—losing a job, natural disaster, etc. That is a responsible thing to do. But there are many who let this develop into a sort of panic.

Societies have collapsed and been destroyed. The church has weathered the worst.

St Isaac the Syrian reminds us that no child needs to ask his father for food every day. He knows his father will provide it. Still, Christ taught us to ask for our daily bread because of our weakness. But to paraphrase St Isaac: we must not insult God's faithfulness by worrying about it further than that.

Be wise and ensure you can provide for your family, but don't worry about what may happen. No good fruit can come from that tree. No amount of worrying can change anything, so do what you can in a reasonable manner and leave the rest in God's hands.

There is nothing you can do. The future is in God's hands. We don't know if we're going to make it or not, or how things are going to be. There are signs of the times, but that's different. All we have for certain is Faith that God is working all things for the best of us, for our souls -- most importantly. So, abandon all fears and desires, accept the situation as it is, and you will be free, even if you end up on a cross; that's how Christ defeated the world. The truth sets us free! I mean, if there's nothing you can do about something, and you have no desires of your own, but surrender yourself to God, then, at least, it's not your fault for anything that happens. Sorry, there is no pretty answer to this, but there is infinite hope in God. The closer we get to God, the more He will heal us from sin, the more fear will disappear and we will be able to say: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me".

Well, God has not spoken to me, not at least in the miraculous sense of the expression.

But I do have an interest in economics and politics.

The US is going through a rough time now. But it feels worse than it is. It's like a crew that happened to not be in a storm for some years. When it faces one for the first time, people are unprepared and it feels like the perfect storm, but it is not. The storm is there, no doubt, but weaker ships have been through it. It is just a "normal" storm, only that they didn't have any in quite some time. The country will survive, I'm sure and it still will be one of the top powers in the world.

The common folk will face hardships in the meantime. There is simply not pretending it won't happen. People will have to adapt. Circumstances will change, lifestyles will change. It will be a time to get into deeper self-analysis and learn how you can still be yourself even if the circumstances around you are not the ones you had imagined. In times of prosperity people tend to think that only "loosers" have to go through sorrows and tragedies, for their own "wrong" choices. This is so wrong. What is happening around us plays a big role in this and a lot of good people who make good choices have to live with losses and sad things despite their own decisions. When prosperity is gone, it's time to adapt, to find new ways. Trust in God is not a trust that He will take away the troubles, but that He will be with us even as we go through the troubles. It is as that gospel song says:

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NOW LORD DON'T MOVE MY MOUNTAINBUT GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO CLIMBAND LORD, DON'T TAKE AWAY MY STUMBLING BLOCKSBUT LEAD ME ALL AROUND

Many Energies, 3 Persons, 2 Natures, 1 God, 1 Church, 1 Baptism, and 1 Cup. The Son begotten only from the Father, the Spirit proceeding only from the Father, Each glorifying the Other. The Son sends the Spirit, the Spirit Reveals the Son, the Father is seen in the Son. The Spirit spoke through the Prophets and Fathers and does so even today.

Sunny,Forgive me, but I must ask, are you spending time reading websites that would fall into the conspiracy theory realm? Alex Jones type of stuff? If not, are you still spending lots of time focused on the television news channels and news websites? If either or both are true I would recommend taking a break and not giving any time and energy to those things. Those types of media are designed to create unrest so that you are compelled to keep watching or reading for the next update.

Sunny,Forgive me, but I must ask, are you spending time reading websites that would fall into the conspiracy theory realm? Alex Jones type of stuff? If not, are you still spending lots of time focused on the television news channels and news websites? If either or both are true I would recommend taking a break and not giving any time and energy to those things. Those types of media are designed to create unrest so that you are compelled to keep watching or reading for the next update.

We need to be more concerned over the state of our souls than our bodies.

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Conquer evil men by your gentle kindness, and make zealous men wonder at your goodness. Put the lover of legality to shame by your compassion. With the afflicted be afflicted in mind. Love all men, but keep distant from all men.—St. Isaac of Syria

I thank everyone for your words of encouragement and wisdom. The doomsday prepper shows are terrifying and even though I only saw 2 of them they stayed with me. Perhaps rehearsing prayers will help me to try to get them out of my mind-especially since I can not make preparations as those people have. God led us back into an urban area to take care of our family and my biggest concern is for the little ones, and wanting to be faithful to the end and not paralyzed by fear. I have a difficult neurological condition that makes my system jittery to start with and any little anxiety hits me like a flood. Again, thank you for your very helpful words, I will read them over and over.May God's mercy be with all of us-

"And there shall be great earthquakes in divers places, and pestilences, and famines, and terrors from heaven; and there shall be great signs. [12] But before all these things, they will lay their hands upon you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons, dragging you before kings and governors, for my name's sake...And you shall be betrayed by your parents and brethren, and kinsmen and friends; and some of you they will put to death. [17] And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake. [18] But a hair of your head shall not perish. [19] In your patience you shall possess your souls. [20] And when you shall see Jerusalem compassed about with an army; then know that the desolation thereof is at hand.

[21] Then let those who are in Judea, flee to the mountains; and those who are in the midst thereof, depart out: and those who are in the countries, not enter into it. [22] For these are the days of vengeance, that all things may be fulfilled, that are written. [23] But woe to them that are with child, and give suck in those days; for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. [24] And they shall fall by the edge of the sword; and shall be led away captives into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles; till the times of the nations be fulfilled. [25] And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves;

[26] Men withering away for fear, and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved;" (Luke 21)

Also said, "Do not be afraid" and "Lo, I am with you always, even to the close of the age."

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Quote from: GabrieltheCelt

If you spend long enough on this forum, you'll come away with all sorts of weird, untrue ideas of Orthodox Christianity.

Quote from: orthonorm

I would suggest most persons in general avoid any question beginning with why.

I am so terrified of the future and what might happen in the next year. We are unable to stockpile much food or water, and unable to move out of the city to the country where we might have more access to wildlife and water. There are 6 of us in the household with an adult who is ill and 3 small children.I have tried to pray and exercise faith in God's provision, but still feel such panic that it makes sleep difficult and daily anxiety. Has the Lord spoken to anyone here about the future here in the U.S.? Does anyone have any words of encouragement or hope? No one around me seems concerned and the good folks in our Orthodox church don't think anything bad will happen.

Thank you for listening and oddly enough my name is Sunny, but I currently have no Sunny thoughts!

We are preparing for somewhat the end times, but also first for a huge economic collapse here in the United States. We believe that there will be full loss of services and access to food. We also believe eventually the dollar with become worthless paper, as the elites of the world switch us to a one world currency.

I have not had God speak to me about these things, but I do feel it at the core of my spirit. Also many people that I know who have like beliefs on this issue, are also reacting and getting ready.

If you can't make it out:

Stock:WaterFoodSilverFirearms/AmmoDurable goods

You are welcome to speak to me in PM if you want to, but I'd love to know the basis on what you are preparing for.

I am so terrified of the future and what might happen in the next year. We are unable to stockpile much food or water, and unable to move out of the city to the country where we might have more access to wildlife and water. There are 6 of us in the household with an adult who is ill and 3 small children.I have tried to pray and exercise faith in God's provision, but still feel such panic that it makes sleep difficult and daily anxiety. Has the Lord spoken to anyone here about the future here in the U.S.? Does anyone have any words of encouragement or hope? No one around me seems concerned and the good folks in our Orthodox church don't think anything bad will happen.

Thank you for listening and oddly enough my name is Sunny, but I currently have no Sunny thoughts!

We are preparing for somewhat the end times, but also first for a huge economic collapse here in the United States. We believe that there will be full loss of services and access to food. We also believe eventually the dollar with become worthless paper, as the elites of the world switch us to a one world currency.

But it had not been in Tess's power - nor is it in anybody's power - to feel the whole truth of golden opinions while it is possible to profit by them. She - and how many more - might have ironically said to God with Saint Augustine, "Thou hast counselled a better course than thou hast permitted."

But it had not been in Tess's power - nor is it in anybody's power - to feel the whole truth of golden opinions while it is possible to profit by them. She - and how many more - might have ironically said to God with Saint Augustine, "Thou hast counselled a better course than thou hast permitted."